Friday, December 9, 2016

December 9, 2016 (UNIAN) The U.S. Congress has passed the consolidated
National Defense Authorizations Act, 2017, boosting U.S. security assistance to
Ukraine to US$ 350 million, according to a posting on the Facebook page of
Ukraine's Embassy in the United States. "U.S. Senate has finalized
consideration and following the House passed the consolidated National Defense
Authorizations Act, 2017," the posting said. "According to the bill,
from amounts authorized to be provided for security assistance to Ukraine,
including lethal assistance, up to $350 million shall be available for fiscal
year 2017, a $50 million increase from $300 million authorized in NDAA,
2016," it said. "The document is now headed for signing by the U.S.
President," the posting said. "We appreciate the bicameral and
bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for Ukraine in our fight against the
ongoing Russian aggression," the Ukrainian Embassy said.

Ukraine security assistance and intelligence support has
been expanded to include equipment and technical assistance to the State Border
Guard Service of Ukraine for the purpose of developing a comprehensive border
surveillance network for Ukraine, as well as training for staff officers and
senior leadership of the military.